There’s no place like home

Put that passport away. This year, we’re trading the destination wedding for the people and places we call home, says Lara. “People want to be here and be with their family,” she says. “And there are stories of doing destination weddings where it just wasn’t the same.

Lara’s already got a number of hometown weddings on the books for 2026, and expects even more as the year goes on. Not only does staying home give you that nostalgic feel we’re all chasing, but with more options – especially in South Jersey – you can find the venue that’s your perfect fit.

“Our venue is specific,” she says. “You’re coming here to get something unique – elegant, classy, ballroom style.”

Say cheese

It’s not unusual to find us scrolling through wedding photos on Instagram instead of working. And no, it’s not just because wedding dresses are gorgeous. It’s also because photographers today are turning out photoshoots that are a blast.

“It’s not your traditional stand in a row for the picture,” Lara says. “A lot of people are doing their first look and then taking time before the ceremony to take fun pictures that include their bridal party. Here, a lot of people like to use the theater, especially the stain glass, or take a mirror image of the ballroom.”

Just me and you

As time goes by, ceremonies grow shorter and partying at the reception becomes more fun, couples are choosing to read their vows to each other in private before the ceremony. It’s a little way for the newlyweds to have that extra special moment to themselves.

“People want it to be just them and the photographer, and we’ve had couples do lots of different locations on the property,” Lara says. “Outside, when the weather’s good, is a great option. And I’ve had a handful of times when they don’t want to see each other before the ceremony, but they still do the vow exchange. One stands in the bridal suite and the other is in the hallway, and you get really cool photos with them back to back.”

Signature sips

The signature drink during cocktail hour is nothing new, but what we’re putting in that drink is. Couples nowadays are trading fruity and fun cocktails for tried and true, says Lara.

“I see people doing a classic old fashioned or a chocolate old fashioned,” she says. “It’s not just vodka, and even the women are drinking whiskey. They’re doing more obscure cocktails with more obscure ingredients. We offer something called Whiplash Whiskey – whiskey that tastes like whipped cream – and we mix it with vodka and baileys.”

Also, we’re not naming our signature drink after our dog anymore, ok?

Make mine a non-alcoholic

Odds are you’ve seen non-alcoholic cocktails cropping up in your favorite bars and restaurants, and it turns out weddings are the same, says Lara. “Couples want to make sure they have options for everyone,” she says. “A lot of time when we do a mixed drink for the signature drink, we can offer a mocktail version.”

There are even non-alcoholic wines, beers and spirits that guests can enjoy, she says, like the non-alcoholic orange liqueur that they’ve used to make a creamsicle drink or their non-alcoholic mojito.